Canton woman’s rekindled hobby leads to perfect Christmas cards and gifts

With no previous experience, Canton resident Linda Carmichael decided on a whim to take a beginner and intermediate art class with renowned local artist Mona Podgurski.

Linda Carmichael drew portraits of her grandchildren for her Christmas card this year.

“I never thought I could draw anything,” Carmichael said. “But she said I had the eye, a talent, so I decided to pursue it more.”

But that was six years ago. Then, life got in the way. As a family daycare provider for the past 25 years, Carmichael had little free time, and her prized pencil and paper fell by the wayside.

Last spring at the Lions Club’s annual country breakfast fundraiser, Carmichael viewed “Operation Home Ties: Faces of Remembrance” — a traveling exhibit of portraits by Woburn artist Gina Johnson of fallen soldiers from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. After seeing the pencil portraits, Carmichael yearned to start drawing again.

She contacted Johnson and managed to arrange some lessons. Now, nine months later, she still meets Johnson twice a month to work on her skill and technique. Johnson’s advice to Carmichael is simple: look into more details. But that’s not always easy when you’re only tool is a  number two pencil; recognizing shadowing and shading become important.

“I now look more closely at people,” Carmichael said. “I did a portrait of these three men who work with my husband, but I had never met them. When I presented the portrait to them in person, I felt like I knew them personally for years.”

Carmichael has been busy with her newly rekindled hobby. Portraits of family members — like a collage of her oldest granddaughter’s school pictures from first grade to senior year — turned into perfect Christmas gifts.

Then, Carmichael’s daughter gave her the idea to put portraits of her grandkids on this year’s Christmas card. In the weeks since sending the cards, Carmichael has received phone calls from a number of curious friends.

“They all ask who drew it,” Carmichael said. “When I tell them I did, they’re usually surprised.”

And the card has proved to be a good form of advertising. Carmichael has received a number of requests from friends — ranging in subject matter from a group of dogs to a plane for a friend whose son is in the air force.

If you’re interested in commissioning a portrait by Linda Carmichael, contact her at 781-575-9165 0r lindolee@aol.com.

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Posted by Jeffrey Cattel on Dec 30 2010. Filed under Features. Both comments and pings are currently closed.